University of Arkansas

5 Reasons YOU Should Move to Tyler, Texas

/ Tina Bausinger

enchilada

I’ll be the first to admit it: when my husband was offered a job in Texas, he drove me here kicking and screaming. I cried for days…and it wasn’t just the fact that I was coming down with strep throat. No, I’m not THAT moody, usually. I just couldn’t fathom why we had to leave my beloved Arkansas. Most of my extended family is there, and it’s always been my home.

But move we did, and we’ve been here for several years now. Though I do still miss Arkansas dearly (after all, it’s in my blood), I’ve come to love Texas, and I’m always trying to get my extended family to move here. There are at least 6 reasons I give them.
1. People are very friendly here (with the exception of morning traffic on Loop 323). It’s true of much of the South, but the displays of kindness I have seen since we moved here never cease to blow my mind. The first day we attended church here, we were invited to a couple’s home for small group. It just seems second nature to many Texans to see a need…and fill it. Maybe that’s one of the reasons why when most people move to Texas, they don’t want to leave.

http://keranews.org/post/texans-are-very-proud-most-say-texas-best-place-live-country?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=FBKERA31442.

That, and the lovely roses that sell super cheap in the springtime, since we are The Rose Capital.

http://parksandrec.cityoftyler.org/ConventionTourismFacilities/RoseGardenCenter.aspx

2. Tyler is about 90 minutes east of Dallas and 90 miles west of Shreveport (which seems to be quite the gambling destination…because the Tylerites rarely speak of Shreveport, but when they do they just call it, “The Boats”). A day trip with bedtime in your own house is always a possibility, and the drive to Austin isn’t bad either. Because we’re so close to Dallas, we’ve attended some pretty cool concerts (like Lady Gaga).

3. The winters (except for the weirdness that happened this season) are usually very mild. Rarely do windows need defrosting, and usually hoodies are adequate.This is perfect weather for me–I don’t need the extra fluff heavy coats deliver.

4. We have the best Tex-Mex anywhere, hands down. I have yet to find a Mexican restaurant that rivals our restaurants here in town, and you always get all the fresh tortillas, chips and salsa, and mouth-watering sopapillias at your table for free with your meal. Geez, I’m getting hungry just thinking about it. Note to self: this could quite be one of the reasons I have so much fluff. Anyway, when my Arkansas peeps come into town, they always want to get a bite, and I always use the excuse to get one myself.

5. There are 3 hospitals in town and numerous clinics…so if you are a nurse or medical professional there’s always tons of work opportunities. The reason we moved here to begin with was because Lee graduated from the UofA with a BS in Chemical Engineering.

So, there you go.
If you decide to come visit, let me know! I’m always in the mood for some cheese enchiladas. Seriously.

http://www.tylertexas.com/http://keranews.org/post/here-are-39-things-you-should-do-texas-you-die

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6 Misconceptions About Arkansas

/ Tina Bausinger / 2 Comments

water

My family and I were watching Jim Gaffigan last night. He is really hysterical. Seriously, if you haven’t heard of him I BEG YOU to look him up on Netflix or YouTube. You won’t be sorry.

One of his funniest bits is when he dissects Southern culture. He explains with great amazement the unashamed Southern diet. (Hey, at least we’re honest about it). He says that the reason why Southerners move so slow is, “I’ve figured it out. It’s the biscuits and gravy. Everyone in the South moves around like they’ve just had two helpings.”

At least he’s not mean; it’s all in good fun. And you have to give the guy props for his self-depreciating humor (especially about his own flourescent whiteness).

As you know, I’m from Arkansas, and though I love living in Texas, I left some of my favorite people back there. All this talk about the South reminds me a LOT about the endless Arkansas jokes I’ve endured over the years. People think they are SO funny. Yeah, you’re hilarious and no I haven’t really heard that joke six million times.

At least Jim doesn’t try to talk about places he’s never visited. That is the epitome of ignorance in my book.

Sure, there is a lot of beautiful country in Arkansas. But there’s more to it than meets the eye. CNN listed Rogers, Arkansas as the number 10 “Best Places to Live in 2010”. Here’s an excerpt from their article:

“If you’re inclined to dismiss a small city in Arkansas as a backwater, you’re making a big mistake. Rogers is right next door to Bentonville, where Wal-Mart is headquartered.”

http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2010/snapshots/PL0560410.html

NW Arkansas also hosts the following big-money businesses: J.B. Hunt, Tyson Foods, Coca-Cola, Proctor & Gamble, Motorola, Nestle, General Mills, Dell, PepsiCo, either as a primary business or a vendor of Wal-Mart. That’s some big money.

Also, the University of Arkansas trains some of the best engineers, nurses, and writers in the world. I know a few of them. There is also talk of Fayetteville bidding to host the Olympics:

http://www.rockcitytimes.com/fayetteville-bids-host-2024-winter-olympics

Here are some of the stupid  (real life) questions I’ve been asked about my life in Arkansas.

1. Q. Did you marry your cousin?

A. No, I don’t really check out my immediate family for dating material. That’s Victorian England you’re thinking of.

2. Q. Did you have indoor plumbing growing up?

A. Yes, and thanks for your concern. I was wondering if you currently have indoor plumbing because your body odor begs to differ.

3. Q. Is there anything to do in Arkansas? I mean, besides checking out your cousins? I mean, isn’t it pretty backwoods?

A. Actually, Northwest Arkansas is quite a lot more metropolitan than most people realize. Bentonville, Rogers, Springdale, and Fayetteville have pretty much grown together and support a population somewhere close to half a million people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

4. Q. Ever see “Deliverance?” Wasn’t that filmed in Arkansas?

A. Yes, I have seen it. Wasn’t that much to write home about, so I didn’t. Did you get your facts from the internets?

5. Q. Did you live in a trailer?

A. No, but I don’t judge people who do, and I’ve lived in some real craphole apartments. I think you were my neighbor once.

This isn’t really a question so I won’t label it as such. My favorite line from Jim: “The South won’t rise again because they don’t have the energy.”

This is where I beg to differ. If Arkansas is any indication of the laziness of the South, everybody better get ready. In my view, it’s really the Sleeping Giant of the nation.  Don’t mistake the slow talking for slow thinking or Southern hospitality for ignorance.After we have some more biscuits and gravy, we’re really gonna kick your butts.

Now, have a glass of sweet tea. Y’all want lemon with that?

If you haven’t visited Arkansas, I highly recommend it. Here’s some links to get you started.

Stuff to do in Bentonville, Arkansas:http://www.arkansas.com/places-to-go/cities-and-towns/city-detail.aspx?city=Bentonville

Stuff to do in Rogers, Arkansas —http://www.visitrogersarkansas.com/what-to-do/attractions/4.

Stuff to do in Fayetteville, Arkansas —http://www.arkansas.com/attractions/attractions-in.aspx?city=Fayetteville

Stuff to do in Springdale, Arkansas —http://www.arkansas.com/attractions/attractions-in.aspx?city=Springdale

Tell ’em Tina sent ya.